Birmingham może nie ma blichtru Londynu ani pełnego energii Manchesteru, ale to miasto w Midlands nadal uwielbia spędzać wolny wieczór. Po zachodzie słońca jest mnóstwo do zrobienia, od klubów nocnych przez bary koktajlowe po artystyczne teatry, a nawet ci, którzy nie chcą zaszaleć, znajdą coś, co ich przypadnie do gustu. Podczas gdy centrum Birmingham jest tętniące życiem, pełne pubów i restauracji, wiele innych dzielnic miasta zaprasza wieczornych gości. Udaj się do Gas Street Basin lub Digbeth, aby znaleźć modny bar, lub udaj się do Jewellery Quarter na późną kolację.
Birmingham jest również znane z zamiłowania do muzyki na żywo, którą można znaleźć w salach koncertowych w całym mieście.
Niezależnie od tego, czy szukasz spokojnego wieczoru z kuflem lub dwoma kuflem piwa w narożnym pubie, czy szalonej imprezy w jednym z dużych klubów, Birmingham ma coś dla każdego.
Bary i puby
Historia przemysłu Birmingham oznacza, że istnieje wiele fajnych nowych barów koktajlowych, które niedawno pojawiły się w starszych budynkach. Miasto ma dobrze prosperującą scenę barową i, oczywiście, jest też domem dla dziesiątek klasycznych brytyjskich pubów, w tym kilku naprawdę historycznych miejsc. Centrum miasta jest pełne opcji, podobnie jak Gas Street Basin, Digbeth i Jewellery Quarter. Ale prawie każda dzielnica w Birmingham będzie miała świetny lokalny pub. W Anglii bary i puby zwykle zamykają się do północy, więc wielu mieszkańców decyduje się na wczesne rozpoczęcie wieczoru, często tuż po pracy.
W weekendy niektóre bary działają do 1 w nocy. Oto bary i puby, których nie można przegapić:
- The Botanist: The Botanist to jeden z ulubionych barów koktajlowych w Birmingham, w którym codziennie serwowane są napoje i jedzenie. Koktajle są świeże, nowatorskie podejście do klasyki, a bar słynie również z ogromnego wyboru ginów. Jeśli nie pijesz, nie martw się: w ofercie jest kilka koktajli bezalkoholowych i piw.
- Bacchus Bar : położony w samym sercu Birmingham, Bacchus Bar to eklektyczne miejsce z pokojami tematycznymi (pomyśl o egipskim i średniowiecznym). Bar serwuje również dania barowe, jeśli jesteś głodny.
- 52 Gas Street : kieruj się w stronę kanału, aby znaleźć 52 Gas Street, elegancki bar, który kiedyś był fabryką broni. Ciesz się klasycznym koktajlem i nie zapomnij wpaść w weekendy na muzykę na żywo w soboty akustyczne.
- One Trick Pony Club: One Trick Pony Club, in Moseley Village, has a sports bar vibe, with games on the TVs, delicious burgers, and a lot of socializing. The drinks menu is extensive, with everything from craft brews to creative cocktails.
- The Old Crown: This Grade II-listed pub dates back to the 14th century and has a real community feel. Head in for an evening meal or grab a late-night drink (the pub is open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays).
- Dig Brew Co.: Found in Digbeth, Dig Brew Co. serves up limited edition craft brews. The taproom, which has pizza for sale for hungry boozers, is open on weekends only.
Nightclubs
Birmingham has no shortage of nightclubs and it’s no wonder, as the Midlands city is known as a party spot. There are a lot of venues to pick from when going out for a night dancing, including happening gay clubs and posh, upscale nightclubs. Here are some of the most popular:
- The Night Owl: The music varies at The Night Owl, from soul to retro to Hawaiian bop, but the energy is constant. The club, found just outside the center of town, is open Friday through Sunday until 4 a.m., so you can keep the party going late.
- Nightingale Club: Boasting three floors and five bars, Nightingale is Birmingham’s oldest and largest LGBTQ+ club.
- Snobs: For some indie and alt-pop music, head to Snobs, Birmingham’s most popular alternative nightclub. It hosts regular nights, as well as special one-off events.
- Bambu: Bambu is Birmingham’s most exclusive nightclub, with high-end booths and pricy drinks. Purchase tickets online in advance.
- The Mill: The Mill, located in Digbeth, hosts DJ club nights and live music, as well as themed events.
Late-Night Restaurants
Typically, restaurants in England don’t stay open particularly late (even in London). Pubs usually stop serving food around 10 p.m., so it can be tricky to find a good meal any later than that. Still, Birmingham has a few options for those who want to satisfy a late-night craving.
- Bodega Cantina: Bodega Cantina, a fun South American eatery, serves food until 11 p.m. on the weekends, perfect for those looking for a centrally-located spot for a snack.
- Pushkar Cocktail Bar & Dining: Enjoy some modern North Indian dishes at Pushkar, which stays open until 11 p.m. every day of the week. There’s also a very cool cocktail bar and a nicely-curated wine list available for patrons.
- Ulysses Greek Restaurant: The party goes on until 1 a.m. at Ulysses, in Gay Village. Come for the classic dishes, which include chicken souvlaki and keftedes, and stay for the belly dancers and live music.
- Flight Club Birmingham: Flight Club is a happening darts club and bar, but they also serve food until 11 p.m. It’s great for indulgent dishes like nachos, pizza, fries, and more, and groups can book package deals to include food and booze.
- Sabai Sabai: For a quick bite before 11 p.m., head to one of Sabai Sabai’s three locations around Birmingham. The Thai restaurant has all of the requisite dishes, for reasonable prices. They also offer take-away.
Live Music and Festivals
Birmingham attracts a lot of live music, of all genres. The city is host to several annual music festivals, including MADE Festival, Moseley Folk & Arts Festival, and Supersonic Festival. It also boasts numerous music venues. Check the calendars at O2 Academy Birmingham, The Sunflower Lounge, Custard Factory, The Night Owl, and Lab 11 to see what’s upcoming around town. For classical music, Symphony Hall is a great place to see a performance, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra frequently does pop-up performances in unexpected venues throughout the city.
Comedy Clubs
Birmingham boasts several comedy clubs, including the very popular Glee Club, which brings together a lot of British comedians. Most of the comedy clubs tend to host acts from around the U.K., although some of the bigger theaters will have international comics on the calendar.
- The Glee Club: There are several Glee Clubs throughout the U.K., with the Birmingham venue being the first to open in 1994. It hosts comedy nights and music shows, and many big-name comics will stop by for warm-up shows.
- Just the Tonic Comedy Club: Just the Tonic, located in the Gas Street Basin area, offers an ongoing calendar of comedy nights with primarily British acts.
- Fat Penguin Comedy Club: Fat Penguin, a weekly, crowd-funded comedy night, is a great spot to see up-and-coming and established comics alike. It’s free entry, with a recommended donation.
- The Rose Villa Tavern: Jewellery Quarter pub The Rose Villa Tavern hosts regular comedy nights alongside regular quizzes.
Theater and Live Performances
Drinking or dancing the night away not your thing? No worries. Birmingham has plenty to offer every type of visitor late into the evening. The city has a massive, thriving theater and dance scene, with lots of plays, musicals, and performances to pick from. Check out the calendar at the Birmingham Hippodrome, which hosts everything from ballet to opera to pantomime, or head to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, which puts on plays for visitors all ages. Other theaters include The Alexandra, The Old Rep Theatre, Midlands Arts Centre, and The Old Joint Stock.
Birmingham is also home to many great movie theaters, many of which have an arthouse vibe. Look for Everyman Mailbox Birmingham, The Mockingbird Bar and Theatre, and the Electric Cinema, which is the oldest working cinema in the U.K. Alternatively, book a lane at Lane7, an upscale bowling alley that also has arcade games and karaoke.
Tips For Going Out in Birmingham
- Many of Birmingham’s bus routes operate a night bus schedule, while the Tram runs just past midnight on weekdays and until 1 a.m. on Saturdays. Check the schedule online to ensure you don’t miss the last Tram. If you prefer not to take public transportation late at night, look for taxis or order an Uber.
- Tipping is included when dining at restaurants, pubs, and in some bars (usually where you have table service). The traditional amount is a 12.5 percent service charge added to your bill, and any additional tip isn’t necessary. In bars, pubs, and nightclubs it’s customary to add a few pounds onto your total when paying for drinks if it’s not included. Tips can be added to a credit or debit card payment in most venues, although it’s nice to have a few pounds in cash available just in case.
- The drinking age in England is 18 years old, so you must be at least 18 to drink in public in Birmingham. Drinking outside and on transportation is legal unless otherwise stated. Be sure to check that it’s allowed on public transportation before cracking open a beer.